Fri Nov 15 09:46:26 UTC 2024: ## Madras High Court Orders Expedited Probe into AIADMK Headquarters Ransacking

**Chennai, November 15, 2024:** The Madras High Court has directed the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) to expedite the investigation into the ransacking of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) headquarters in Chennai on July 11, 2022. The incident occurred following a split within the party between incumbent general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and expelled leader O. Panneerselvam.

The court’s order came in response to a petition filed by AIADMK leader and former Law Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam, who sought a transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Shanmugam argued that the CB-CID had failed to conclude the probe and file a final report despite over two years having elapsed since the crime. He alleged that supporters of Panneerselvam had broken into the party office, looted documents, including bank passbooks and vehicle registration certificates, and damaged party vehicles.

The court, while disposing of the petition, also quashed a criminal defamation case filed against AIADMK Madurai district secretary ‘Sellur’ K. Raju for his speech accusing the ruling DMK government of corruption and crime. Justice P. Velmurugan ruled that the speech constituted fair criticism by an opposition party member and did not amount to criminal defamation.

This development comes as a significant pressure on the CB-CID to conclude the investigation into the AIADMK headquarters ransacking, a case that has been shrouded in political controversy. The court’s directive for an expedited probe signals the importance of resolving this issue and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

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